Report: FCC Chairman Genachowski to Step Down

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski will announce on Friday that he plans to step down, according to the Wall Street Journal.

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Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski will announce on Friday that he plans to step down, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The paper did not have any additional details. An FCC spokesman declined to comment on the report.

Genachowski's five-year term as chairman of the FCC ends in June, and there was a lot of discussion as to whether he would remain for President Obama's second term or resign and make way for a new chairman.

President Obama selected Genachowski as FCC chairman in March 2009, and he was confirmed by the Senate in June. Genachowski served on Obama's transition team and previously worked as a venture capitalist in Washington. He was chief counsel at the FCC under Reed Hundt, who was FCC chairman from 1993 to 1997, and held executive positions at Internet firm IAC/InteractiveCorp.

Genachowski has dealt with a number of controversial issues during his tenure - most notably net neutrality. But he also oversaw the creation of the National Broadband Plan, pushed the idea of incentive auctions for spectrum, and presided over a number of high-profile mergers, from Comcast/NBCU to T-Mobile/AT&T.

News of Genachowski's rumored departure comes just one day after Republican Commissioner Robert McDowell said he will also leave the commission. He first joined under President George W. Bush in 2006. Obama then re-appointed him in 2009.

"Rob McDowell has been an extraordinary colleague  deeply knowledgeable about the vital and growing communications and tech sector, creative, wise, and a great partner on the Commission," Genachowski said yesterday. "I've worked with Rob from the very first day of my tenure, and I've thoroughly enjoyed working together. I'm proud that Rob is both a colleague and a friend. And I have no doubt he'll build on his tremendous experience and continue his long record of success."

Update: The FCC confirmed Friday morning that Genachowski will step down. He is expected to make remarks about his departure at a 10 a.m. press conference.

Chloe Albanesius has been with PCMag.com since April 2007, most recently as Executive Editor for News and Features. Prior to that, she worked for a year covering financial IT on Wall Street for Incisive Media. From 2002 to 2005, Chloe covered technology policy for The National Journal's Technology Daily in Washington, DC. She has held internships at NBC's Meet the Press, washingtonpost.com, the Tate Gallery press office in London, Roll Call, and Congressional Quarterly. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from American University...
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